Quantum NumbersThe four numbers that specify an electron's state.PhysicsThe four quantum numbers.NumberDescribesValuesn (principal)Shell, energy1, 2, 3 …l (angular)Subshell shape0 to n−1 (s, p, d, f)mₗ (magnetic)Orbital orientation−l to +lmₛ (spin)Spin direction+½ or −½Each orbital holds at most two electrons, with opposite spins. That gives2, 6, 10 and 14 for s, p, d and f.Quantum Numberslearnposters.com
Quantum Numbers — printable physical science wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

What’s on the Quantum Numbers poster

A 4-row table: Number · Describes · Values.

The four quantum numbers.

Each orbital holds at most two electrons, with opposite spins. That gives 2, 6, 10 and 14 for s, p, d and f.

Questions about the Quantum Numbers poster

What’s on the Quantum Numbers poster?
A 4-row table: Number · Describes · Values. The four quantum numbers. n (principal) — Shell, energy — 1, 2, 3 …; l (angular) — Subshell shape — 0 to n−1 (s, p, d, f); mₗ (magnetic) — Orbital orientation — −l to +l; mₛ (spin) — Spin direction — +½ or −½. Each orbital holds at most two electrons, with opposite spins. That gives 2, 6, 10 and 14 for s, p, d and f.
Who is the Quantum Numbers poster for?
Quantum Numbers belongs to the Physics section rather than to a school year, because physical science is not something one grade owns. Anyone learning quantum can pin it up — a beginner, a student mid-course, or someone revising years later.
When should you use the Quantum Numbers poster?
n, l, mₗ, mₛ. Together they label every possible electron state in an atom. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Quantum Numbers belongs on the wall where that physical science work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Quantum Numbers?
Blackbody Radiation, Conservation Laws and Energy Levels sit alongside Quantum Numbers in the Physics section. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.Blackbody RadiationConservation LawsEnergy Levels
Is the Quantum Numbers poster free to download and print?
Yes. Quantum Numbers downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the Physics section. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Quantum Numbers poster print at?
Quantum Numbers is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Quantum Numbers loses nothing.Printing guide

Related posters

Charts that sit alongside Quantum Numbers on the same wall.

Browse every Physics poster, or start from the full catalogue.